When push comes to shove, the highest priority for Burr Ridge mayoral candidate Gary Grasso is ensuring that his constituents feel the impact of his public service work wherever and whenever it does the most good for the community.
“I have been a litigation attorney for four decades, but public service is in my blood," Grasso told DuPage Policy Journal. "So much so that I took my name out of consideration for DuPage County Judge after earning a highly qualified rating from the DuPage Bar Association.”
While Grasso was seriously considered for that position of state court judge in the 18th Judicial Circuit in 2004, he believed he could have a more immediately positive influence as the Mayor of Burr Ridge than he would through the highly respected judicial appointment. He won the mayoral election that year and served the village in that capacity from 2005-2012.
Gary Grasso
“Without raising taxes or increased spending, I, with the help of the Board and Plan Commission, transformed the village into what it is today,” Grasso said. “When I was mayor of Burr Ridge, I oversaw the development of the Village Center, Police Station, Veterans Memorial and Loyola Medical Center.”
Grasso also helped to improve the appearance of County Line Road and started up the summer concerts program, which have been a huge success for the community. Grasso has also served as a DuPage County Board Member and Chairman of the 911 Board, two more roles that he used to better the community. Now he wants to return to his old job as mayor, where he feels he can do the most good for the people of Burr Ridge.
“I will increase revenue sources to sustain property values," Grasso said. "I will facilitate the comprehensive development of the 15-acre parcel in downtown Burr Ridge to complement the businesses in the Village Center and County Line Square.”
Grasso also sees the need for more tolerance when it comes to differing opinions, which is why he wants to foster decorum and healthy debate.
“Recently, the village has been fractured by inflammatory rhetoric over issues rather than discussing them respectfully on the merits,” Grasso said.
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